Snowplow



Sept. 5, 1933.' G C, SQULE 1,926,011

SNOWPLOW Filed Feb. 6, 1932 bcvenor #valige 62501116 Patented Sept. 5, 1933 uNrrso starts SNOWPLOW George C. Seule, South Portland, Maine, as-

signor to Maine Steel Products Company, Portland, Maine, a corporation of Maine Application February 6, 1932. Serial No. 591,339

17 Claims.,

This invention relates to snow plows propelled by truck or other primary equipment capable oi advancing the plow at speed through the snow, and particularly to a protector designed tc prevent snow thrown upwardly and rearwardly by the plow nose when plowing at speed from accumulating on the windshield of the truck or other propulsion vehicle.

In plowing snow with trucks or other primary equipment which can operate at high speeds, the movement of the snow divides itself into two separate classes.

One class is a light coating of dry snow which is picked up by the steep bevel on the cutter bar and shoots directly upward from the edge of the cutter bar, and does not strike the moldboard until it has nearly reached its top. Inasmuch as the snow shoots up from the cutter bar at a steep angle, it glances oil the moldboard at a correspondingly steep angle, rises up above it, flies back onto the windshield of the truck, and obstructs vision to such an extent that the speed of the truck must be materially reduced and the truck frequently stopped in order to enable the driver to clear the windshield.

Another class of snow movement occurs where the snow is deeper.v With this snow condition the snow follows and lls the curves of the mold o board and if very deep, flows up by the top of the moldboard. l

Not only do these two diierent snow conditions follow one another in rapid succession, as where the snow has largely blown oli on one part of the road and accumulated into deep drifts on a closely succeeding part of the road, but it is also met in making second or widening cuts where one-half of the V-nose of the plow will be on the road that has already been plowed and on which only a small amount of snow remains while at the same time the other half of the V- nose may be in snow varying from a small depth to several feet.

In order to prevent obstruction to vision from the movement or light snow it has been proposed to mount an outwardly projecting shelf on the top oi the moldboard in as nearly as flat a position as may be necessary so that the snow shot up from the cutter bar and glancing al- 0 most straight upward from the moldboard may strike this shelf and be thrown back by it.

The objection to a plow thus equipped with a flat shelf projecting upward from the top of the moldboard is that the tendency is for the plow to cramp itself in deep snow, due to the fact that the upward passage of heavy snow above the moldboard is prevented and hence the free progress of the plow through the snow is seriously obstructed.

rSnow plows have been built with deflectors attached by bolts which can be removed when the light snow condition changes to the heavy. They have also been built with hinged delectors having screw or other mechanical Yiixed adjustments so that operator by stopping the equipment can make adjustment for different conditions.

These and similar types of deiiectors now on the market require manual adjustment and consequent stoppage of equipment and loss of time which becomes so serious under the rapidly succeeding changes in snow conditions on the same short piece of road as to be neither satisfactory nor economical. i

To the end, therefore, of providing a windshield protector which will prevent snow thrown upwardly and rearwardly by the plow nose from accumulating on the windshield when the plow is plowing in light snow and which will also permit free progress of the plow through deep snow, I have devised my present invention.

According to it, problems which result from these two diiierent snow conditions are taken care of by a protector which is so designed and arranged as to be self-adjusting in action so as automatically to adapt itself to these varying and often-times closely succeeding snow conditions.

My protector is set normally to prevent light snow or snow dust thrown back by the plow nose from reaching the windshield. When heavy snow is encountered, however, my protector is so arranged as automatically to yield to the pressure of the heavy snow rising to the top of the moldboard, thus avoiding any tendency of the plow to cramp itself in such heavy snow. When the pressure of the heavy snow on my protector is relieved, the construction is such that the protector is automatically returned to normal position so as again to prevent passage of light `snow therepast. In other words, my protector yields in the direction of pressure if the snow` is sufnciently heavy to overcome the normal resistance of the protector, and always returns to obstructing or safety position upon relief of such pressure. I thus provide in a single device a deflector which prevents the dust or light snow in light conditions from passing up by the moldboard and obstructing vision, but which at the same time and .without stopping the equipment or making any adjustments whatever of the protector' permits the practically free passage of heavy snow by and above the top of the moldbcard.

Specically, I mount a deflector, which may be either flat or curved at or near the top of the moldboard and projecting outwardly therefrom. Such deiiector is normally maintained at or near a flat position by spring, weight, or other mechanical means which yield to the pressure of heavy snow passing upward by turning toward, or by, a Vertical position so that passage of such heavy snow upward is in no way obstructed.

As soon as the heavy snow passes the deiiector the spring, weight, or other mechanical means automatically returns the deflector to original position. Inasmuch as the deflector yields in the direction of the snow pressure and with the pressure it always adjusts itself to the particular snow condition encountered.

As illustrative of the principles of my invention I show in the accompanying drawing a form of automatic deflector which I haveV found highly satisfactory under actual service conditions. In such drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a snow plow nose of conventional type equipped with self-adjusting deiiectors in accordance with my present concept, and

Figs. 2 and 3 are sections illustrating the automatic action of such deflectors.

I have indicated at 1 and 2 the converging moldboards of ka snow plow nose or V of standard type, these moldboards being concaved as best shown in the sectional views, and being equipped at their lower edgeswith the usual cutter bars 3.

My deectors, indicated generally at 4 are in the nature of attachments for such standard plow nose. I provide a deflector for each m'oldboard,

the deflectors being mounted in identical manner on their respective moldboards. Y

Each deflector extends outwardly as a shelflike projection or shield along or adjacent to the upper edge of each moldboard. The deflectors may be flat or slightly curved in crosssection. They may extend the entire length of the moldboards, or any part thereof as best suits the requirements of the different models or types of equipment with which they are used. They may be made of any material suitable for the purpose, as steel, wood or the like. They may be solid, or may consist of a light frame with canvas or other covering to stop passage of the snow. y

As here shown, each deflector is hinged as at `5 to its moldboard. Instead of a hinge connection, however, I may use a pivotal or other form of connection which permits limited movement of the deflector relative to its moldboard, and the hinge, or other yieldable joint may be provided with any suitable flexible apron or the like, if desired.

Preferably, although not necessarily, the forward end of each moldboard is cut off on a diagonal or at any desired angle, and turned'up as a flange 6. This flange has been found effective. in preventing snow from accumulating on top of the deflector as when the plow is plunging straight ahead into the snow. Ireferably` also, but not necessarily, the outer edge of each deiiector is turned up at about'a 45'-angle as a flange 7. This flange 7 has been found effective in drifts in that it affordsA a surface against which the snow can react laterally whereby to cause the deflector to swing upwardly under such side pressure.

Various forms of automatic return mechanism may be used. For example, Where the deliector is hinged to the moldboardfthe spring of such hinge may be made sufficiently strong, and may be provided with proper limiting stops, to permit the deflector to yield to heavy snow pressure and automatically return to normal position upon relief of such pressure. l

Alternatively, the spring may be arranged independently of the lunga-either as an extension or a compression spring, or some other mechanical means maybe used. `For example, a weight may be used in place of a spring, or gravity alone may be depended upon.

As here shown, I employ an independent spring, preferably of the extension type, indicated at 8, and located on the inside of each moldboard so as to be out of the way.

Each spring 8 is partially enclosed within a yoke 9 which is pinned as at 10 to a fixed lug 11 projecting inwardly from the inner face of a moldboard, the yoke being longitudinally slotted as at 12 to permit the yoke to move vertically relative to the moldboard, the pin 9 being received in said slots.

One end of each spring is anchored as at 13 adjacent the lower end of the yoke and the opposite end of the spring is fastened as at 14 to the lug.

At its upper-end, each yoke is formed as ears 15 between which is pivoted as at l5 the inner end'of a motion transmitting member or arm 17, the outer end of said arm being rigidly fastened as at 18 to the upper face of the deector.

With this particular form of automatic control, the pressure of heavy snow against the under face of the denectors causes them to swing upwardly and inwardly from the position of Fig. 2 to that of Fig. 3.

In'such 'motion the arm 17 forces the yoke downwardly to extend the spring, as shown, the slots 12 riding down on the pin l0 until their upper ends contact the same and thus limit the downward travel of the yoke.

As soon as the snow pressure on the deflectors are relieved, gravity assisted by the pull of the extended springs 8, automatically returns the deflectors to the position of Figs. 1 and 2.

If desired, the inner ends of the arms 17 may each be provided with a second bolt-hole, indicated at 19 forthe purpose of enabling the deflectors to be locked in the position of Fig. 3. To accomplish such locking, the bolt 16 is withdrawn from the hole in which it is shown and inserted in hole 19 after the parts have been moved into the position of Fig. 3.

Various modications in the construction and operationof the device may obviously be resorted to`without departing from the spirit of the invention, if withinY the limits of the appended claims.

v What I therefore claim Letters Patent isz- 1. As an attachment for preventing the snow thrown upwardly and rearwardly by the snow throwing element of a snow plov.T from accumulating on the windshield of the propulsion vehicle of the plow, a deflector yieldably mounted adjacent the upper edge of such element and normally projecting outwardly therefrom at such an angle as to obstruct the passage of the snow raveling'up said element but capable of yielding under an abnormal snow pressure into a position and desire to secure by wherein it will no longer obstruct the snow pas- Y sage, and means operatively connecting said snow throwing element and deflector whereby said deector is normally maintained in said snow obstructing position but effective whenever an abnormal snow pressure is applied to said deflector to permit it to be thereby movedvinto non-obstructing position, said means automatically returning said deflector to its normal snow obstructing position upon relief of such abnormal snow pressure.

2. A construction as claimed in claim l wherein the snow-throwing element is a V-plow nose and there is a defiector mounted on each moldboard of said nose adjacent the upper edge thereof.

3. A construction as claimed in claim 1 wherein the defiector is hinged to the snow-throwing element.

4. A construction as claimed in claim 1 wherein the deflector normally projects substantially horizontally outward from said snow-throwing element and moves to a position substantially 45 removed from such normal position.

5. As an attachment for preventing the snow thrown upwardly and rearwardly by the snow throwing element of a snow plow from accumulating on the windshield of the propulsion vehicle of the plow, a deector hinged to such snow throwing element and normally projecting outwardly therefrom at such an angle as to obstruct the passage of. the snow traveling up said element but capable of yielding under an abnormal snow pressure into a position where it will no longer obstruct the snow passage, and a spring operatively connected with said deiiector and normally maintaining the same in said snow obstructing position but effective whenever an abnormal snow pressure is applied to the deflector to permit said deflector to move in the direction of the snow pressure into said non-obstructing position and upon relief of said pressure automatically to return said deflector to its normal snow-obstructing position,

6. A construction as claimed in claim 5 wherein the snow-throwing element is a V-plow nose, there is a deflector projecting outwardly from each moldboard of said nose adjacent the upper edge thereof, and the control springs for said deflectors are arranged interiorly of the V-nose.

7. A construction as claimed in claim 5 wherein the snow-throwing element is a V-nose, there is a defiector projecting substantially horizontally outwardly from each moldboard of said nose adjacent the upper edge thereof, the control springs for said deiiectors are extension springs arranged interiorly of the V-nose, and there are yokes each so connected to a moldboard, spring and deector as to be capable of limited Vertical movement relative under the actuation of the moving deflector in one direction and the retractile inuence of the spring in the opposite direction.

8. For use with a snow plow mold board, a deector yieldably mounted on the mold board and normally projecting outwardly therefrom at such an angle as to obstruct the passage of snow travelling up said mold board but capable of yielding under an abnormal snow pressure into a position where it will no longer obstruct the snow passage, and means normally maintaining vsaid deflector in said snow obstructing position but effective whenever an abnormal snow pressure is applied to said deector to permit it to be thereby moved into non-obstructing position, said means automatically returning said deflector to its normal snow obstructing position upon relief of such abnormal snow pressure and including an extension spring, and a yoke so connected to said spring, moldboard and deflector, as to be capable of limited movement relative to the moldboard under the actuation of the moving deflector in one direction and the retractile influence of the spring in the opposite direction.

9. In combination with a snow plow moldboard, a deflector hinged thereto and normally projecting outwardly therefrom adjacent the upper edge thereof, a yoke loosely mounted upon the inner face of the moldboard, an extensible spring anchored at one end to said yoke and at its opposite end to said yoke mounting, and an arm actuated by said deector and actuating said yoke for moving said yoke in one direction when said deflector is moved from its normal position by abnormal snow pressure thereagainst, to thereby extend said spring, and said spring returning said deflector to normal position upon relief of said abnormal snow-pressure.

10. A construction as claimed in claim 9 wherein the yoke mounting means includes a lug projecting from the inner face of the moldboard, and a pin carried by said lug, there being a slot in said yoke receiving said pin, and said pin and slot limiting the movement of said yoke in either direction.

11. As an attachment for the V nose of a snow plow for preventing the snow thrown upwardly and rearwardly by the divergent mold boards of such V nose from accumulating on the windshield of the propulsion vehicle of the plow, a pair of defiectors yieldably mounted upon the mold boards of the V nose and normally projecting outwardly therefrom at such an angular position as to obstruct the passage of the snow traveling up said mold boards but capable of yielding under an abnormal snow pressure into a position wherein they will no longer obstruct the snow passage, and means whereby said deflectors are normally maintained in said snow obstructing position but effective whenever an abnormal snow pressure is applied to said deflectors to permit them to be thereby moved into non-obstructing position, said means automatically returning said deectors to their normal snow-obstructing position upon relief of such abnormal snow pressure.

12. An attachment as claimed in claim 11, wherein the deiiectors are mounted adjacent the upper ends of the mold boards and normally occupy positions substantially normal to the direction of travel of the snow up said mold boards.

13. An attachment as claimed in claim 11, wherein the forward ends of said defiectors terminate short of each other in an inverted V and are formed with upturned flanges.

14. An attachment as claimed in claim 1l, wherein the outer lateral edges of said deflectors are formed with upturned flanges.

15. An attachment as claimed in claim 11, wherein the forward ends of said deflectors terminate short of each other in an inverted V and are formed with upturned fianges, and wherein the outer lateral edges of said deflectors are formed with upturned fianges.

. 16. An attachment as claimed in claim 11, wherein the means for maintaining the deflectors in normal snow-obstructing position and for returning said deflectors to such position after they have yielded to abnormal snow pressures Y are located interiorly of the V-nose and adjacent the inner faces of the mold boards.

17. An attachment as claimed in claimll, wherein the yielding movement of the deectors is an upward and inward movement having as its extreme a position wherein the deflectors substantially correspond to the curvature of the mold boards and' substantially constitute continuations thereof.

GEORGE C. SOULE. 

